JP7512162B2 - Toner pulverizer and toner manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a toner pulverizer and a toner manufacturing method for use in electrophotography, electrostatic recording, electrostatic printing, and toner jet systems.

In recent years, full-color electrophotographic copiers have become widely used, and are beginning to be applied to the printing market. In the printing market, there is a demand for higher image quality while being compatible with a wide range of media (paper types), and toner particle size is being reduced to meet this demand. From the perspective of toner manufacturing methods, so-called polymerized toner is suitable for reducing particle size, and is often used as a manufacturing method. On the other hand, toner manufactured through melting, kneading, and pulverization processes has the advantage of good pigment dispersibility, although it is difficult to reduce the particle size. Toner with a reduced particle size while maintaining high pigment dispersibility is considered ideal, but there have been many issues with the pulverization process.

In mechanical grinding, the material to be ground is primarily crushed by applying impacts to it using a rotor that rotates at high speed. During this process, the temperature of the material to be ground can rise, causing it to melt and adhere to the rotor and stator (hereafter referred to as "fusion"). This is particularly likely to occur when operating under high load, such as when aiming for a small particle size. If fusion worsens, the grinding efficiency can decrease due to a reduction in the rotor's grinding surface area, or the grinding equipment can stop due to rotor overload, which is a problem.

It is believed that even the slightest occurrence of fusion can easily cause further growth, and measures to prevent fusion, such as cooling the rotor, have been implemented. Conventionally, the occurrence of fusion was predicted by the rise in the outlet temperature from the grinding device (Patent Document 1) or the rise in the temperature inside the machine (Patent Document 2).

JP 2018-103067 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-207045

However, even in cases where the prediction methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 were deemed to be problem-free, when the rotor and stator were inspected after the end of grinding, it was found that fusion tended to occur disproportionately in some of the stators. In other words, the conventional fusion prediction method was not capable of detecting partial fusion (fusion of some of the stators), and there was a risk of fusion spreading.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to detect partial fusion within a toner grinding device and to improve the productivity of toner production.

According to one aspect of the present invention,
A toner grinding device comprising: a powder supply port for supplying a material to be ground into the device; a stator having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions on its inner circumferential surface; a rotor attached to a central rotating shaft and having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions on its outer circumferential surface; and a powder discharge port for discharging the ground powder from the device, the stator containing the rotor, the rotor being positioned so that a surface of the stator and a surface of the rotor face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, the material to be ground is ground in the gap, the powder supply port being provided on one end side of the central rotating shaft, and the powder discharge port being provided on the other end side of the central rotating shaft,
A toner pulverizer is provided having a plurality of temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the stator.

According to another aspect of the present invention,
A toner manufacturing method using the toner pulverizing device,
A toner manufacturing method is provided in which the temperature of the stator is measured using the temperature measuring means while pulverization is performed, and the toner pulverization device is controlled so that all of the temperatures of the stators being measured are maintained lower than a predetermined temperature.

The present invention makes it possible to detect partial fusion inside a toner grinding device, and provides a toner manufacturing method with higher productivity.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional mechanical grinding device. This is a schematic diagram of a grinding device that can change the angle at which the material to be ground is fed from the powder inlet to the air flow. 1 is a schematic diagram of a crushing device that accelerates and injects the material to be crushed between a rotor and a stator.

The inventors have improved the method for predicting the risk of partial fusion. As a result, by equipping the grinding device with a mechanism for measuring the temperature of the stator at multiple points, they have succeeded in predicting the occurrence of fusion, including partial fusion, with a higher degree of accuracy. Furthermore, by feeding back this information to operations, they have been able to reduce the risk of fusion and improve productivity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.
First, an outline of a pulverization method using a toner pulverizer (mechanical pulverizer) according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a typical horizontal mechanical pulverizer, but a vertical type may also be used.
1 has a cooling water supply port 109 and a cooling water discharge port 110, and can flow cooling water into the jacket. The crushing device further has a rotor 103, a stator 104, a powder supply port 101, and a powder discharge port 106.
The material to be pulverized is supplied to a pulverization chamber in the apparatus through a powder supply port 101 together with cold air generated by a cold air generator 108 .
The crushing chamber has a number of grooves (stator 104) on the inner circumferential surface. The number of grooves is an example of a plurality of protrusions and recesses.
The rotor 103 is attached to a central rotating shaft 107 and rotates at high speed. The rotor 103 also has a large number of grooves on its outer circumferential surface. These large number of grooves are also an example of a plurality of protrusions and recesses.
The pulverized powder is discharged from a powder discharge port 106 .
The stator 104 contains the rotor 103, and the rotor 103 is positioned so that the surface of the stator 104 and the surface of the rotor 103 face each other with a predetermined gap maintained between them, and the material to be crushed is crushed in this gap.
A powder supply port 101 is provided on one end side of a central rotation shaft 107 , and a powder discharge port 106 is provided on the other end side of the central rotation shaft 107 .
The stator 104 is fixed to the exterior of the crusher by stator fixing bolts 1111 to 1114. The number of stator fixing bolts varies depending on the size of the crusher.
The positions of the stator fixing bolts 1111 to 1114 are as shown in Fig. 1. They are numbered 1111 to 1114 from the supply port toward the discharge port.

In the above-mentioned pulverizer, when a predetermined amount of powder raw material (material to be pulverized) is fed from a fixed quantity feeder (not shown) through the powder feed port 101, the powder raw material (material to be pulverized) is introduced into the pulverization chamber. In the pulverization chamber, the powder raw material is instantly pulverized by the impact generated between the rotor 103 and the stator 104 rotating at high speed, the numerous ultra-high speed vortex flows generated behind them, and the high-frequency pressure vibration generated by the numerous ultra-high speed vortex flows. After being pulverized, the powder raw material is discharged through the powder discharge port 106. The air carrying the particles passes through the pulverization chamber and is discharged outside the device system through the powder discharge port 106. In some cases, a thermometer is installed in the powder discharge port 106, in which case the exhaust temperature can be measured. In the present invention, the pulverization process can be performed in this manner.

Examples of such mechanical grinding machines include the following: Innomizer (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation), Cryptoline (manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.), Super Rotor (manufactured by Nisshin Engineering Inc.), Turbo Mill (manufactured by Turbo Kogyo Co., Ltd.), and Tornado Mill (manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.). These can be used as is or after appropriate modification.
In the toner manufacturing method using the pulverization method, an intermediate pulverization step may be inserted between a coarse pulverization step for reducing the particle size to about 2 mm and a fine pulverization step for reducing the particle size to a desired particle size. The pulverization process of the present invention may be the intermediate pulverization step or the fine pulverization step. The pulverization process of the present invention may also be connected in two or more stages in series or parallel to perform pulverization.

In the present invention, it is important to add multiple temperature measurement means to the above-mentioned grinding device, so that it has multiple temperature measurement means. It is preferable that the temperature measurement means is arranged in a way that measures the temperature of the stator as directly as possible. As a result of the inventors' investigations, it has been found that when fusion occurs, the temperature of the stator rises, and there is also a bias in the position of the stator where the temperature rises. Therefore, by measuring the temperatures of multiple stators, it is possible to detect partial temperature increases in the stator. The mechanism behind partial temperature increases is currently unknown, but the inventors speculate as follows.

In a grinding device like the one in Figure 1, there is one inlet and one outlet, which is thought to cause some degree of bias in the flow of the coarsely ground material. In other words, it is thought that the temperature is more likely to rise in areas where the powder is densely flowing, and less likely to rise in area where the powder is not densely flowing. This is averaged out to be the exhaust temperature, but there are areas with high and low temperatures within the device. It is believed that this causes a partial temperature rise in the stator.

To detect partial fusion, it is necessary to locally monitor areas where the temperature rise is large. There must be multiple temperature measurement points, preferably four or more points around the circumference, and more preferably eight or more points. This makes it possible to precisely detect localized temperature rises.

Furthermore, since fusion is likely to occur on the powder outlet side, it is preferable that the measurement point of the temperature measuring means be within the area closer to the powder outlet of two areas obtained by dividing the central rotation shaft in the axial direction of the central rotation shaft.
It is more preferable that the measurement location of the temperature measuring means is within a region that is located on the outlet side, which occupies 3/4 or more of the area.
Of the four regions having a length of "L/4" shown in FIG. 1, the stator 1114 in the region closest to the powder discharge outlet corresponds to the stator "in a region located 3/4 or more to the outlet side."
It is also preferable that the measurement points of the temperature measuring means are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

<Method of Manufacturing Toner Particles>
The procedure for producing fine toner particles using the production method and production apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
First, in the raw material mixing process, at least a binder resin and a colorant are weighed out in a predetermined amount as toner internal additives, and then mixed. If necessary, a release agent that suppresses hot offset during heat fixing of the toner, a dispersant that disperses the release agent, a charge control agent, etc. may be mixed. Examples of mixing devices include a double-con mixer, a V-type mixer, a drum-type mixer, a super mixer, a Henschel mixer, a Nauta mixer, etc.

The toner raw materials blended and mixed as described above are then melted and kneaded to melt the resins and disperse the colorants therein. In the melt-kneading process, for example, a batch kneader such as a pressure kneader or a Banbury mixer, or a continuous kneader can be used. In recent years, single-screw or twin-screw extruders have become mainstream due to their advantages such as continuous production, and for example, a KTK type twin-screw extruder manufactured by Kobe Steel, Ltd., a TEM type twin-screw extruder manufactured by Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd., a twin-screw extruder manufactured by KCK Corporation, and a Co-Kneader manufactured by Buss Co., Ltd. are commonly used. Furthermore, the colored resin composition obtained by melt-kneading the toner raw materials is rolled with a twin roll or the like after melt-kneading, and cooled through a cooling process in which the resin is cooled with water or the like.

The cooled colored resin composition obtained above is then pulverized to the desired particle size in a pulverization process. In the pulverization process, the toner is first coarsely pulverized using a crusher, hammer mill, feather mill, or the like. It is then finely pulverized using a mechanical pulverizer such as an Innomizer (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation), a Cryptron (manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.), a Super Rotor (manufactured by Nisshin Engineering Inc.), or a Turbo Mill (manufactured by Turbo Kogyo Co., Ltd.). In this way, the toner is pulverized stepwise to the desired toner particle size in the pulverization process.

A pulverization method for suppressing partial fusion using the pulverization device according to the present invention will be described.
It is assumed that if the temperature of the stator rises, the crushed material will melt when it adheres to the stator, leading to fusion. By using the crushing device according to the present invention, it is possible to measure the partial temperature rise, thereby improving accuracy.
Furthermore, the inventors have found that when the temperature of the stator becomes higher than the glass transition point of the material to be ground -10°C (when the glass transition point is 55°C, when the temperature of the stator becomes 45°C or higher), fusion is likely to occur. Therefore, by controlling the toner grinding device so that the temperature of each of the multiple stators is maintained lower than the glass transition point (Tg) of the material to be ground -10°C, long-run production can be performed while suppressing fusion. Although there are no particular limitations on the means for maintaining the glass transition point of the material to be ground at -10°C or lower, measures such as reducing the amount of raw material supplied are preferable. By reducing the amount of raw material supplied, the measurement temperature, which has been rising, can be reduced. This is presumably because the amount of powder in the grinder is reduced, so that less force is required for grinding, and as a result, the generation of heat generated during grinding is suppressed.

Productivity decreases when the raw material supply rate is reduced. For example, consider the case of grinding with a raw material supply rate of 300 kg per hour. If a measurement point among the multiple stators reaches the glass transition point of the material being ground -10°C, the risk of fusion increases, so measures are taken to reduce the supply rate to, for example, 200 kg per hour. As the amount of material being ground in the grinder decreases, the temperature of the parts that were raised drops. This means that fusion has been avoided. After that, it is confirmed that the temperature has dropped to a certain level, and the supply rate is returned to 300 kg/h. If this cycle is repeated for 10 hours, the supply rate per hour will be reduced to less than 300 kg. However, if grinding is continued at 300 kg/h, fusion will occur, and more time will be spent on maintenance to remove fusion. Therefore, considering the decrease in grindability due to fusion and the elimination of maintenance time to remove fusion, overall productivity will improve.

When the index of fusion is the glass transition point (Tg) of the ground material minus 10° C., this point also changes when the Tg of the ground material changes.
When the Tg of the material to be ground is low, the temperature at which fusion occurs is also low. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to prevent fusion earlier. However, when the Tg of the material to be ground is low, it can be ground with less energy, so it is possible to increase the supply amount to obtain a material of the same particle size.
Conversely, if the Tg of the ground material is high, the fusion temperature becomes high and fusion becomes difficult. However, since a large amount of energy is required for pulverization, the supply amount is reduced in order to obtain ground material of the same particle size. When comparing the productivity when obtaining ground material of the same particle size by these means, it may be about the same.

Also, by shifting the uneven distribution of the amount of coarsely ground material in the grinder, it is possible to shift the grinding location and shift the local temperature rise of the stator. This allows grinding to continue without melting without reducing the amount of raw material supplied. There are no particular limitations on the method for shifting the grinding location, but some methods include changing the particle size of the material to be ground, or changing the injection position between the stator and rotor.

The inventors have found that when the particle size of the coarsely ground material changes, the location where the temperature rises changes. It is believed that this is due to a change in the flow of the coarsely ground material in the grinding device. Therefore, it is possible to shift the grinding location by intentionally changing the particle size of the coarsely ground material to be supplied. Although there is no particular limitation on the change, it is usually preferable to change the volume average particle size of the coarsely ground material to be supplied from 50 μm to 70 μm to 90 μm to 110 μm. The temperature of the location where the temperature rose decreases as the flow of the coarsely ground material in the grinding device changes. On the other hand, the temperature of a different location rises. In that case, the volume average particle size is returned to 50 μm to 70 μm so that the temperature of the stator at the location where the temperature rose is equal to or lower than the glass transition point of the ground material -10°C, and grinding is continued. This reduces the risk of fusion and makes it possible to continue grinding without reducing the supply amount of the ground material. There is no particular limitation on the method for changing the particle size of the ground material, but when using a mechanical coarse grinding device, a method such as changing the rotation speed is preferable.

In addition, as a result of the inventors' research, it was also discovered that the trajectory of the material to be ground within the grinding processing chamber can be changed by changing the angle at which the material is fed from the powder inlet to the air stream.
2 shows an example of the configuration of a pulverizer that can change the angle at which the material to be pulverized is fed from the powder inlet to the airflow. The "direction of airflow (hereinafter also referred to as airflow direction)" coincides with the direction of the long axis of the pipe 201 through which the airflow flowing into the powder inlet flows. The "direction of feeding (hereinafter also referred to as feeding direction)" coincides with the direction of the long axis of the powder feeding pipe 205 through which the crushed material to be fed flows.
As in the above case where the particle size of the material to be pulverized is changed, it is possible to shift the pulverizing location by changing the angle between the airflow direction and the input direction.
The angle is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to switch between a first angle of 30° to 60° and a second angle of 120° to 150°. In this case, the flow path is significantly changed, and the temperature rise location can be changed to continue the grinding.

In addition, the method of supplying the material to be crushed of the crushing device shown in FIG. 1 can be changed so that the material to be crushed is accelerated and injected between the rotor 103 and the stator 104 as shown in FIG. 3, thereby changing the crushing location.
The accelerated injection speed of the material to be pulverized is preferably 10 m/s or more and 50 m/s or less. When the accelerated injection speed is within this range, the material to be pulverized can be pulverized to a predetermined particle size while the effect of changing the flow path can be obtained.

The number of supply points (powder supply ports) is preferably two or more on either side of the central axis of the apparatus. The supply points (powder supply ports) are preferably arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of a circle centered on the central axis of the apparatus.
When powder is being supplied from a certain powder supply port and a local temperature rise is detected in the stator near that powder supply port, the amount of powder being supplied from the powder supply port can be reduced and the reduced amount can be supplied from another powder supply port, thereby shifting the temperature rise to another location.

<Toner raw materials>
Next, the raw materials of the toner particles containing at least the binder resin and the colorant used in the present invention will be described.

<Binder resin>
As the binder resin used in the toner used in electrophotography, a general resin can be used, and the following can be exemplified: polyester resin, styrene-acrylic acid copolymer, polyolefin resin, vinyl resin, fluororesin, phenol resin, silicone resin, epoxy resin, etc. Among these, from the viewpoint of improving low-temperature fixing property, amorphous polyester resin is used, and from the viewpoint of achieving both low-temperature fixing property and hot offset resistance, it is known to use a low-molecular-weight polyester and a high-molecular-weight polyester in combination. Also, from the viewpoint of further improving low-temperature fixing property and blocking resistance during storage, a crystalline polyester may be used as a plasticizer.

<Coloring Agent>
Colorants that can be contained in the toner include the following.
The colorant may be a known organic pigment or oil-based dye, carbon black, or a magnetic material.

Cyan colorants include copper phthalocyanine compounds and their derivatives, anthraquinone compounds, and basic dye lake compounds.

Magenta colorants include condensed azo compounds, diketopyrrolopyrrole compounds, anthraquinone compounds, quinacridone compounds, basic dye lake compounds, naphthol compounds, benzimidazolone compounds, thioindigo compounds, and perylene compounds.

Examples of yellow colorants include condensed azo compounds, isoindolinone compounds, anthraquinone compounds, azo metal complexes, methine compounds, and allylamide compounds.
Examples of black colorants include carbon black, magnetic materials, and those toned to black using the above-mentioned yellow colorants, magenta colorants, and cyan colorants.
The colorants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

<Release Agent>
If necessary, a release agent may be used to suppress the occurrence of hot offset during the heat fixing of the toner. Typical examples of the release agent include low molecular weight polyolefins, silicone wax, fatty acid amides, ester waxes, carnauba wax, and hydrocarbon waxes. The methods for measuring various physical properties of the toner and raw materials are described below.

<Method for measuring stator temperature>
The method for measuring the temperature of the stator is not particularly limited as long as it can measure the temperature of the stator itself, but it is preferable to change the bolts that secure the stator to bolts with holes (bolts with through holes) and insert the temperature measurement part through the holes of the bolts to measure. This makes it possible to insert the measurement part right under the stator without making major changes to the current device configuration. The thermometer is not particularly limited, but a thermocouple type that is easy to insert into the through holes of the bolts with through holes and has high accuracy is preferable.

<Method of measuring weight average particle size (D4) of toner particles and finely pulverized material>
The weight average particle diameter (D4) of the toner particles is measured using the following precision particle size distribution measuring device and the following dedicated software with an effective measurement channel count of 25,000 channels, and the measurement data is analyzed and calculated.
- "Coulter Counter Multisizer 3" (registered trademark, manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.), a precision particle size distribution measuring device using the narrow hole electrical resistance method equipped with a 50 μm aperture tube
- Dedicated software "Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 Version 3.51" (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.) for setting measurement conditions and analyzing measurement data

The aqueous electrolyte solution used for the measurement is prepared by dissolving special grade sodium chloride in ion-exchanged water to a concentration of about 1 mass %, for example, "ISOTON II" (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.).
Before carrying out the measurements and analyses, the dedicated software is set up as follows.

In the "Change Standard Measurement Method (SOM) Screen" of the dedicated software, the total count number in the control mode is set to 50,000 particles, the number of measurements is set to 1, and the Kd value is set to the value obtained using "Standard Particle 10.0 μm" (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.). The threshold and noise level are automatically set by pressing the threshold/noise level measurement button. In addition, the current is set to 1600 μA, the gain to 2, the electrolyte to ISOTON II, and the aperture tube flush after measurement is checked.
In the "Pulse to particle size conversion setting screen" of the dedicated software, set the bin interval to logarithmic particle size, the particle size bin to 256 particle size bins, and the particle size range to 1 μm or more and 30 μm or less.
The specific measurement method is as follows.

(1) About 200 mL of the electrolyte solution is placed in a 250 mL round-bottom glass beaker for use with the Multisizer 3, set on the sample stand, and the stirrer rod is stirred counterclockwise at 24 rotations per second. Then, the "aperture flush" function of the analysis software is used to remove dirt and air bubbles from inside the aperture tube.
(2) Approximately 30 mL of the aqueous electrolyte solution is placed in a 100 mL flat-bottom glass beaker, and approximately 0.3 mL of the following dilution solution is added thereto as a dispersant.
"Contaminon N" (a 10% by weight aqueous solution of a neutral detergent for cleaning precision measuring instruments, made of a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and an organic builder, pH 7, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) diluted 3 times by weight with ion-exchanged water

(3) A specified amount of ion-exchanged water is placed in the water tank described below, and about 2 mL of the Contaminon N is added to this water tank.
- The water tank (4) of the ultrasonic disperser "Ultrasonic Dispersion System Tetorara 150" (manufactured by Nikkaki Bios Co., Ltd.), which has two built-in oscillators with an oscillation frequency of 50 kHz and an electric output of 120 W, is set with the beaker (2) in the beaker fixing hole of the ultrasonic disperser, and the ultrasonic disperser is operated. Then, the height position of the beaker is adjusted so that the resonance state of the liquid surface of the electrolyte solution in the beaker is maximized.

(5) In a state where the electrolyte solution in the beaker in (4) is irradiated with ultrasonic waves, about 10 mg of toner is added little by little to the electrolyte solution and dispersed. Then, ultrasonic dispersion treatment is continued for another 60 seconds. During ultrasonic dispersion, the water temperature in the water tank is appropriately adjusted so as to be 10°C or higher and 40°C or lower.
(6) Using a pipette, the electrolyte aqueous solution (5) in which the toner is dispersed is dropped into the round-bottom beaker (1) placed in the sample stand, and the measurement concentration is adjusted to about 5%. Then, the measurement is continued until the number of particles measured reaches 50,000.
(7) The measurement data is analyzed using the dedicated software that comes with the device, and the weight-average particle size (D4) is calculated. Note that when the dedicated software is set to "Graph/Volume %, the "Average diameter" on the Analysis/Volume Statistics (Arithmetic Mean) screen is the weight-average particle size (D4).

<Method for measuring particle size distribution of coarsely ground particles>
The particle size distribution of the coarsely ground material was measured using a particle size distribution measuring device LA-950V2 (manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.). This device uses a laser scattering method and is capable of measuring particle sizes from 0.01 μm to 3000 μm. The particle size of the coarsely ground material was measured by wet measurement using this device. For the wet measurement method, the coarsely ground material was mixed with an aqueous medium, and ultrasonically dispersed using "Contaminon N" as a dispersant in the same manner as for the Coulter Counter, and the resulting mixture was introduced into the device.
The measurements were performed using a refractive index of 1.53 for the sample (coarsely ground product) and a refractive index of 1.33 for the dispersion medium.

<Method of measuring number average particle size (D1) of toner particles>
In step (7) of the method for measuring the weight-average particle diameter (D4) of toner particles, when the dedicated software is set to "Graph/Number %", the "Average diameter" on the analysis/number statistics (arithmetic mean) screen is the number-average particle diameter (D1).

<Calculation of accelerated injection speed>
The velocity of the accelerated injection was calculated from the following formula 1. The volumetric flow rate used was a value obtained by measuring with a flow meter.

(Velocity) = (Volumetric flow rate) / (Effective cross-sectional area of the pipe) (Equation 1)

<Measurement of Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) of Amorphous Resin and Toner>
The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the amorphous resin and the toner is measured using a differential scanning calorimeter "Q2000" (manufactured by TA Instruments) in accordance with ASTM D3418-82.
The melting points of indium and zinc are used to correct the temperature of the detector, and the heat of fusion of indium is used to correct the amount of heat.

Specifically, about 3 mg of the amorphous resin or toner is precisely weighed and placed in an aluminum pan, and an empty aluminum pan is used as a reference, and measurement is performed under the following conditions.
Heating rate: 10° C./min
Measurement start temperature: 30°C
Measurement end temperature: 180°C

Measurements are made at a heating rate of 10°C/min in the measurement range of 30°C to 180°C. The temperature is raised to 180°C once and held there for 10 minutes, then cooled to 30°C, and then raised again. During this second heating process, specific heat changes are obtained in the temperature range of 30°C to 100°C. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin is determined by the temperature at the intersection of the differential thermal curve and a line equidistant in the vertical direction from a line extending the baseline before the specific heat change appears and a line extending the baseline after the specific heat change appears (the so-called midpoint glass transition temperature).

In the following examples, the parts are based on parts by weight.

<Production Example of Amorphous Polyester Resin L1>
Polyoxypropylene (2.2)-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane: 72.0 parts by mass (0.20 moles; 100.0 mol% based on the total number of moles of polyhydric alcohol)
·Terephthalic acid:
28.0 parts by mass (0.17 moles; 100.0 mol% based on the total number of moles of polyvalent carboxylic acids)
Tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (esterification catalyst): 0.5 parts by mass The above materials were weighed and placed in a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer, a nitrogen inlet tube, and a thermocouple. The atmosphere in the flask was then replaced with nitrogen gas, and the temperature was gradually raised with stirring, and the mixture was allowed to react for 4 hours at 200°C while stirring.
The pressure inside the reaction vessel was then reduced to 8.3 kPa and maintained for 1 hour, after which the vessel was cooled to 180° C. and returned to atmospheric pressure.

・Trimellitic anhydride:
3 parts by mass (0.01 mole; 4.0 mol% based on the total number of moles of polycarboxylic acids)
tert-Butylcatechol (polymerization inhibitor): 0.1 parts by mass. The above materials were then added, the pressure in the reaction vessel was lowered to 8.3 kPa, and the reaction was carried out for 1 hour while maintaining the temperature at 180° C. After confirming that the softening point measured according to ASTM D36-86 reached 90° C., the temperature was lowered to stop the reaction, and amorphous polyester resin L1 was obtained. Tg was 54° C.

<Production Example of Amorphous Polyester Resin L2>
Amorphous polyester resin L2 was produced in the same manner as for the production of amorphous polyester resin L1, except that the first reaction time was changed to 3.5 hours. The Tg was 52°C.

<Production Example of Amorphous Polyester Resin L3>
Amorphous polyester resin L3 was produced in the same manner as for the production of amorphous polyester resin L1, except that the first reaction time was changed to 4.5 hours. The Tg was 56°C.

<Production Example of Amorphous Polyester Resin H1>
Polyoxypropylene (2.2)-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane: 72.3 parts by mass (0.20 moles; 100.0 mol% based on the total number of moles of polyhydric alcohol)
·Terephthalic acid:
18.3 parts by mass (0.11 moles; 65.0 mol% based on the total number of moles of polycarboxylic acids)
Fumaric acid:
2.9 parts by mass (0.03 moles; 15.0 mol% based on the total number of moles of polyvalent carboxylic acids)
Tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (esterification catalyst): 0.5 parts by mass The above materials were weighed and placed in a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer, a nitrogen inlet tube, and a thermocouple. The atmosphere in the flask was then replaced with nitrogen gas, and the temperature was gradually raised with stirring, and the mixture was allowed to react for 2 hours at 200°C while stirring.
The pressure in the reaction vessel was then reduced to 8.3 kPa and maintained for 1 hour, after which it was cooled to 180 and returned to atmospheric pressure.

・Trimellitic anhydride:
6.5 parts by mass (0.03 moles; 20.0 mol% based on the total number of moles of polyvalent carboxylic acids)
tert-Butylcatechol (polymerization inhibitor): 0.1 parts by mass The above materials were then added, the pressure in the reaction vessel was lowered to 8.3 kPa, and the reaction was carried out for 15 hours while maintaining the temperature at 160° C. Then, after it was confirmed that the softening point measured according to ASTM D36-86 reached 137° C., the temperature was lowered to stop the reaction, and amorphous polyester resin H1 was obtained. The Tg was 60° C.

<Production Example of Amorphous Polyester Resin H2>
Amorphous polyester resin H2 was produced in the same manner as for the production of amorphous polyester resin H1, except that the second reaction time was changed to 14 hours and the ultimate softening point was changed to 134° C. The Tg was 57° C.

<Production Example of Amorphous Polyester Resin H3>
Amorphous polyester resin H3 was produced in the same manner as for the production of amorphous polyester resin H1, except that the second reaction time was changed to 16 hours and the ultimate softening point was changed to 140° C. The Tg was 63° C.

<Crystalline Polyester Resin>
1,6-Hexanediol:
34.5 parts by mass (0.29 moles; 100.0 mol% based on the total number of moles of polyhydric alcohol)
Dodecanedioic acid:
65.5 parts by mass (0.28 moles; 100.0 mol% based on the total number of moles of polyvalent carboxylic acids)
Tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate: 0.5 parts by mass The above materials were weighed into a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer, a nitrogen inlet tube, and a thermocouple. After replacing the atmosphere in the flask with nitrogen gas, the temperature was gradually raised with stirring, and the reaction was carried out for 3 hours at 140° C. with stirring.
Next, the above materials were added, the pressure inside the reaction vessel was reduced to 8.3 kPa, and the temperature was maintained at 200° C. while allowing the reaction to proceed for 4 hours.
The pressure in the reaction vessel was gradually released to return to normal pressure. Then, 7.0 mol % of one or more aliphatic compounds selected from the group consisting of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids and aliphatic monoalcohols was added to the reaction vessel with respect to 100.0 mol % of the raw material monomers, and the mixture was reacted at 200° C. for 2 hours under normal pressure.
Thereafter, the pressure inside the reaction vessel was reduced again to 5 kPa or less, and the mixture was reacted at 200° C. for 3 hours to obtain a crystalline polyester resin.

<Production Example of Toner 1>
Amorphous polyester resin L1 70 parts by mass Amorphous polyester resin H1 30 parts by mass Crystalline polyester resin 2 parts by mass Fischer-Tropsch wax (hydrocarbon wax, maximum endothermic peak temperature 90° C.) 8 parts by mass C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3 7 parts by mass

The above materials were mixed using a Henschel mixer (FM-75, manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.) at a rotation speed of 20 s ^-1 for a rotation time of 5 min, and then kneaded using a twin-screw kneader (PCM-30, manufactured by Ikegai Co., Ltd.). The barrel temperature during kneading was set so that the outlet temperature of the kneaded product was 120°C. The outlet temperature of the kneaded product was directly measured using a handy type thermometer HA-200E manufactured by Anritsu Keiki Co., Ltd. The kneaded product obtained was cooled and coarsely pulverized using a pin mill to a volume average particle size of 100 μm or less to obtain a coarsely pulverized product. The Tg of the coarsely pulverized product was 57°C.

<Production Example of Toner 2>
Amorphous polyester resin L2 80 parts by mass Amorphous polyester resin H2 20 parts by mass As described above, except for changing the type and content of the amorphous polyester resin, toner 2 was produced in the same manner as in the production example of toner 1. The Tg of the coarsely pulverized material was 53° C.

<Production Example of Toner 3>
Amorphous polyester resin L3 60 parts by mass Amorphous polyester resin H3 40 parts by mass As described above, except for changing the type and content of the amorphous polyester resin, toner 3 was produced in the same manner as in the production example of toner 1. The Tg of the coarsely pulverized material was 61° C.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 1>
The pulverizer shown in FIG. 1 (Turbo Mill T800 modified machine, RS type, manufactured by Turbo Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was modified as follows.
The 24 stator fixing bolts 1114 for fixing the stator provided near the powder discharge port 106 of the pulverizer were changed to bolts with through holes, and thermocouples (not shown) were inserted into all the through holes. The thermocouples (not shown) were brought into contact with the tips of the through holes without protruding from the rotor side end of the through holes, so that the temperature of the stator could be measured without the thermocouple entering the space where the pulverization was performed. The 24 thermocouples were arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at the positions of the stator fixing bolts 1114. The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. The points painted black in Table 2 indicate the temperature measurement points.
The upper half of the cylindrical crushing chamber of the crusher can be removed from the lower half for maintenance, etc. The removable upper half is called the lid side, and the lower half, which remains installed even when the lid is removed, is called the main body side.
In Table 2, "body side 1,""body side 2,""body side 3," etc. refer to the positions of the body side inner circumferential surface which is divided into 36 equal parts in the circumferential direction.
In Table 2, "lid side 37", "lid side 38", "lid side 39", ... refer to each position on the lid side inner circumferential surface which is divided into 36 equal parts in the circumferential direction.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 2>
As shown in Figure 3, a pulverizer (Turbo Mill T800 modified model, RS model, manufactured by Turbo Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was modified. Specifically, the material to be pulverized was injected from holes (301, 302) on the top and bottom of the pulverizer, and supplied to the pulverization chamber. Temperature was measured in the same manner as in the manufacturing apparatus 1.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Manufacturing Equipment 3>
As shown in FIG. 2, a pulverizer (Turbo Kogyo Co., Ltd. Turbo Mill T800 modified machine, RS type) was modified. Specifically, a pipe 201 through which an airflow flows is connected to a powder supply port 101. A powder inlet 202 for feeding the material to be pulverized into the pipe is provided upstream of the powder supply port 101 in the pipe 201. The airflow containing the material to be pulverized is taken into the device from the powder supply port 101, and reaches the gap between the surface of the stator 104 and the surface of the rotor 103 while maintaining the airflow, whereby the material to be pulverized is pulverized. The pulverizer was modified so that the angle 203 of the powder input pipe 205 with respect to the pipe 201 can be changed from 20° to 160°. By changing the angle 203 of the powder input pipe 205 with respect to the pipe 201, the input angle of the material to be pulverized from the powder inlet 202 to the airflow can be changed.
The temperature was measured in the same manner as in the manufacturing apparatus 1.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 4>
The temperature measuring devices were placed only on the lid side of the grinding machine (Turbo Kogyo Co., Ltd. Turbo Mill T800 modified machine, RS type). The inner circumferential surface of the lid side was divided into 36 equal parts in the circumferential direction, and 12 pieces were placed on each side of the center without any gaps (total of 24 pieces). The rest of the configuration was the same as that of the manufacturing device 1.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 5>
The temperature measuring devices were placed only on the main body side of the grinding machine (Turbo Kogyo Co., Ltd. Turbo Mill T800 modified machine, RS type). The inner circumferential surface of the main body side was divided into 36 equal parts in the circumferential direction, and 12 pieces were placed on each side of the center without any gaps (total of 24 pieces). The rest of the configuration was the same as that of the manufacturing device 1.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 6>
The temperature was measured at the position of the stator fixing bolt 1113 shown in Fig. 1. Other than that, the configuration was the same as that of the manufacturing apparatus 1.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 7>
The temperature was measured at the position of the stator fixing bolt 1112 shown in Fig. 1. Other than that, the configuration was the same as that of the manufacturing apparatus 1.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 8>
The configuration was the same as that of the manufacturing apparatus 1, except that the number of temperature measurement points was 12.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 9>
The configuration was the same as that of the manufacturing apparatus 1, except that the number of temperature measurement points was six.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 10>
The configuration was the same as that of the manufacturing apparatus 1, except that the number of temperature measurement points was two.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 11>
The configuration was the same as that of the manufacturing apparatus 1, except that the number of temperature measurement points was one.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Manufacturing Apparatus 12>
Except for the number of temperature measurement points being 0, the configuration was the same as that of the manufacturing apparatus 1. The temperature inside the apparatus was not measured, and only the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the powder discharge port 106 was measured.
The configuration of the pulverizer is shown in Table 1, and the positions of the temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the points painted black indicate the temperature measurement points.

<Toner Production Method 1>
The devices shown in Table 3 are used.
The grinding conditions are as follows:
Minimum gap between the rotor 103 and the stator 104 of the crusher: 1.0 mm
Air temperature introduced into the pulverizer: -20°C
Suction blower flow rate: 25 ^m3 /min
Supply amount of material to be crushed: 300 kg/hr
Rotor 103 rotation speed: 4000 rpm
Particle size of the ground material (volume average particle size): 60 μm
The machine is operated continuously, and when the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be crushed - 10°C), the machine is stopped and the state of fusion is checked.

<Toner Production Method 2>
The device 2 is used. The conditions of the accelerated injection are a nozzle diameter of 21.6 mm, a pressure of 0.5 MPa, and a flow rate of 0.5 L/min. The flow velocity at this time is 22.7 m/s. First, the injection placed in the hole 301 in FIG. 3 is used to supply the material to be crushed.
The other conditions are the same as in the toner production method 1, and pulverization is started.
Thereafter, when the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be ground - 10°C), supply from the injection located in hole (powder supply port) 301 is stopped, supply from the injection located in hole (powder supply port) 302 is started, and operation is continued.
In other words, the proportion of the supply amount of the material to be crushed supplied from hole (powder supply port) 301 is set to 0%, and the proportion of the supply amount of the material to be crushed supplied from hole (powder supply port) 302 is set to 100%.
The operation is continued under the same conditions except for changing the injection used to supply the material to be crushed.
Thereafter, when the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be crushed - 10°C), the supply from the injection placed in hole 302 is stopped and the supply from the injection placed in hole 301 is resumed.
In other words, the proportion of the supply amount of the material to be crushed supplied from hole (powder supply port) 302 is set to 0%, and the proportion of the supply amount of the material to be crushed supplied from hole (powder supply port) 301 is set to 100%.
The operation is continued under the same conditions except for changing the injection used to supply the material to be crushed.
The pulverization is continued under the same conditions as in the toner production method 1, except that the injection used is changed repeatedly as appropriate.

<Toner Production Method 3>
The device 2 is used. The conditions of the accelerated injection are a nozzle diameter of 21.6 mm, a pressure of 0.5 MPa, and a flow rate of 0.5 L/min. The flow velocity at this time is 22.7 m/s. First, the injection placed in the hole 301 in FIG. 3 is used to supply the material to be crushed.
The other conditions are the same as in the toner production method 1, and pulverization is started.
Thereafter, when the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be ground - 10°C), supply from the injection located in hole (powder supply port) 301 is stopped, supply from the injection located in hole (powder supply port) 302 is started, and operation is continued.
In other words, the proportion of the supply amount of the material to be crushed supplied from hole (powder supply port) 301 is 10%, and the proportion of the supply amount of the material to be crushed supplied from hole (powder supply port) 302 is 90%.
The operation is continued under the same conditions except for changing the injection used to supply the material to be crushed.

Thereafter, when the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be ground - 10°C), the supply from the injector placed in hole 302 is stopped and the supply from the injector placed in hole 301 is resumed.
In other words, the proportion of the supply amount of the material to be crushed supplied from hole (powder supply port) 302 is 10%, and the proportion of the supply amount of the material to be crushed supplied from hole (powder supply port) 301 is 90%.
The operation is continued under the same conditions except for changing the injection used to supply the material to be crushed.
The pulverization is continued under the same conditions as in the toner production method 1, except that the injection used is changed repeatedly as appropriate.

<Toner Production Method 4>
The apparatus 3 is used. The angle 203 shown in FIG. 2 is set to 45° and the material to be crushed is supplied.
The other conditions are the same as in the toner production method 1, and pulverization is started.
Thereafter, when the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be crushed - 10°C), the operation is continued under the same conditions except that the angle 203 is changed to 135°.
Thereafter, when the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be crushed - 10°C), the angle 203 is changed again to 45°, and the operation is continued under the same conditions.
The pulverization is continued under the same conditions as in the toner production method 1, except that the angle 203 is repeatedly changed as appropriate.

<Toner production method 5>
Apparatus 1 is used.
The particle size of the material to be pulverized is set to 60 μm in terms of volume average particle size. Pulverization is started under the same conditions as in the toner production method 1 except for the above.
Thereafter, when the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be crushed - 10°C), the operation is continued under the same conditions except that the volume average particle size of the material to be crushed is changed to 100 µm.
Thereafter, when the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be crushed - 10°C), the operation is continued under the same conditions except that the volume average particle size of the material to be crushed is changed again to 60 µm.
The pulverization is continued under the same conditions as in the toner production method 1, except that the volume average particle size of the material to be pulverized is repeatedly changed as appropriate.

<Toner Production Method 6>
Pulverization is started using the device 1 under the same conditions as in the toner production method 1.
When the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be crushed - 10°C), the operation is continued under the same conditions except that the supply rate of the material to be crushed is changed from 300 kg/h to 200 kg/h.
As a result, the temperature of the stator, which had been rising, begins to drop. When the temperature returns to Tg (° C.), the supply amount is changed again to 300 kg/h. This operation is repeated. The other conditions are the same as in toner production method 1.

<Toner Production Method 7>
Apparatus 1 is used.
The supply rate of the material to be pulverized is 330 kg/h. Pulverization is started under the same conditions as in toner production method 1 except for the above.
When the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be crushed - 10°C), the supply rate of the material to be crushed is changed to 200 kg/h, and the operation is continued under the same conditions.
As a result, the temperature of the stator, which had been rising, begins to drop. When the temperature returns to Tg (° C.), the supply amount is changed again to 330 kg/h. This operation is repeated. The other conditions are the same as in toner production method 1.

<Toner Production Method 8>
Apparatus 1 is used.
The supply rate of the material to be pulverized is 280 kg/h. Pulverization is started under the same conditions as in toner production method 1 except for the above.
When the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be crushed - 10°C), the supply rate of the material to be crushed is changed to 200 kg/h, and the operation is continued under the same conditions.
As a result, the temperature of the stator, which had been rising, begins to drop. When the temperature returns to Tg (° C.), the supply amount is changed again to 280 kg/h. This operation is repeated. The other conditions are the same as in toner production method 1.

<Toner Production Method 9>
Pulverization is started under the same conditions as in the toner production method 1 using the apparatus 1, the apparatus 11 or the apparatus 12.
When the temperature of any one of the stators reaches (Tg of the material to be crushed - 10°C), the supply of the material to be crushed is stopped.
As a result, the temperature of the stator, which had been rising, begins to drop. When the temperature returns to Tg (° C.), the supply of the toner is started again. This operation is repeated. The other conditions are the same as those in the toner production method 1.

Example 1
As shown in Table 3, the production apparatus 1 was operated under the conditions of the toner production method 1, the toner 1 was pulverized, and the prediction of fusion was evaluated. The evaluation results are shown in Table 3.
<Evaluation of fusion prediction>
The operation was continued until the temperature of any one of the stators reached (Tg of the material to be pulverized - 10°C) or the particle size of the pulverized material discharged from the powder outlet 106 exceeded 5.7 μm in volume average particle size. The degree of toner adhesion (dirt) on the rotor 103 and the stator 104 was visually confirmed. The particle size was measured once every 20 minutes.
The evaluation ranks are as follows:
A: Adhesion is very little, less than 5% of the total area, and is very excellent.
B: Adhesion is slightly observed over 5% or more and less than 10% of the total area, but is at a level that does not cause problems in practical use.
C: Adhesion is observed over 10% or more and less than 20% of the total area, but is at a level that does not cause problems in practical use.
D: Adhesion is 20% or more of the total area, which is problematic for practical use.

Example 2
As shown in Table 3, the production apparatus 2 was operated continuously for 10 hours under the conditions of the toner production method 2 to pulverize the toner 1, and the productivity was evaluated. The evaluation results are shown in Table 3.
<Productivity evaluation>
The operation was continued for 10 hours, and the average production volume per hour was evaluated. When the supply amount of the material to be crushed was changed according to the temperature, the productivity decreased, and when the supply of the material to be crushed was stopped to deal with the problem, the productivity decreased further. When fusion occurred and the device had to be stopped for maintenance, the productivity decreased further. When the particle size of the pulverized material discharged from the powder discharge port 106 increased by 0.2 μm or more in volume average particle size, it was determined that fusion had occurred, and the device was stopped and maintenance was performed. The particle size was measured once every 20 minutes. The pulverized material was also measured 20 seconds after the pulverized material began to be discharged from the powder discharge port.

The evaluation ranks are as follows:
A: Productivity was 300 kg/h or more.
B: The productivity was 250 kg/h or more and less than 300 kg/h.
C: The productivity was 200 kg/h or more and less than 250 kg/h.
D: Productivity was less than 200 kg/h.

<Examples 3 to 8 and Comparative Examples 2 and 4>
Except for changing the production apparatus, production method, and produced toner, evaluation was performed in the same manner as in Example 2. Table 3 shows the combination of production apparatus and the evaluation results.

<Examples 9 to 15 and Comparative Examples 1 and 3>
Except for changing the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method, evaluation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 3 shows the combination of manufacturing apparatus and the evaluation results.

The device 11 used in Comparative Example 1 had only one temperature measurement point, which was insufficient for predicting partial fusion, and as a result, fusion occurred in the area where the temperature was not measured.
The apparatus 11 used in Comparative Example 2 had only one temperature measurement point, and as described above, partial fusion occurred, causing changes in particle size. It took time to remove the fusion, which reduced productivity.
The device 12 used in Comparative Example 3 does not have a point for measuring the temperature of the stator. Therefore, when the exhaust temperature reached a predetermined temperature, the operation was stopped and the device was visually inspected, and fusion was found.
The device 12 used in Comparative Example 4 does not have a point for measuring the temperature of the stator. Therefore, as described above, fusion was observed. Since it took time to remove the fusion, the productivity was reduced.

101: Powder supply port 102: Spiral chamber 103: Rotor 104: Stator 105: Rear chamber 106: Powder outlet 107: Central rotating shaft 108: Cold air generator 109: Cooling water supply port 110: Cooling water outlet 1111: Stator fixing bolt 1112: Stator fixing bolt 1113: Stator fixing bolt 1114: Stator fixing bolt 201: Pipe 202: Powder inlet 203: Angle between pipe and powder inlet tube 204: Distance between powder inlet and central rotating shaft of rotor 205: Powder inlet tube 301: Hole (powder supply port)
302: Hole (powder supply port)

Claims (10)

A toner grinding device comprising: a powder supply port for supplying a material to be ground into the device; a stator having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions on its inner circumferential surface; a rotor attached to a central rotating shaft and having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions on its outer circumferential surface; and a powder discharge port for discharging the ground powder from the device, the stator containing the rotor, the rotor being positioned so that a surface of the stator and a surface of the rotor face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, the material to be ground is ground in the gap, the powder supply port being provided on one end side of the central rotating shaft, and the powder discharge port being provided on the other end side of the central rotating shaft,
The toner pulverizing device further comprises a plurality of temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the stator. The toner grinding device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature measuring means has eight or more measurement points in the circumferential direction. The toner grinding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement location of the temperature measuring means is within the area closer to the powder discharge port of the two areas obtained by dividing the central rotation shaft into two areas in the axial direction of the central rotation shaft. The toner grinding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement points of the temperature measuring means are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A method for producing a toner using the toner pulverizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising the steps of:
A method for producing toner, characterized in that pulverization is performed while measuring the temperature of the stator using the temperature measuring means, and the toner pulverization device is controlled so that the temperature of each of the stators is maintained lower than a predetermined temperature. The method for producing toner according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined temperature is the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material to be ground -10°C. The method for producing toner according to claim 6, wherein the control is to change the amount of the material to be pulverized supplied to the toner pulverizer. The method for producing toner according to claim 6, wherein the control is to change the volume average particle size of the material to be pulverized that is supplied to the toner pulverizing device. The toner grinding device comprises:
A pipe connected to the powder supply port and through which an air current flows;
The pipe further has a powder inlet for injecting the material to be pulverized into the pipe, the powder inlet being located upstream of the powder supply port in the pipe;
The material to be pulverized is introduced through the powder inlet and transported to the gap by the airflow, and pulverized.
7. The method for producing toner according to claim 6, wherein the control comprises changing an angle at which the material to be pulverized is introduced from the powder inlet into the airflow. the toner grinding device has at least a first powder supply port and a second powder supply port;
A toner manufacturing method as described in claim 6, wherein the control is to change the ratio between the supply amount of the pulverized material supplied from the first powder supply port and the supply amount of the pulverized material supplied from the second powder supply port.

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